Eight Senegalese Representatives Nominated for CAF Awards 2026

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that eight Senegalese representatives have been nominated for the CAF Awards 2026. The ceremony will take place on December 2 at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts in Lagos, Nigeria. The event will bring together players, coaches, and teams that have excelled over the past year. A total of 18 categories will be awarded, including the prestigious Player and Player of the Year awards.

The Senegalese nominees include Sadio Mane, Ismaïla Sarr, and Pape Gueye, who are all vying for the Player of the Year award. Mane, who has previously won the award in 2019 and 2022, is seeking to become the first Senegalese player to win it three times. Sarr and Gueye are also strong contenders, having impressed with their performances in club and international competitions. Other Senegalese nominees include Édouard Mendy, Ibrahim Mbaye, Pape Thiaw, and Lamine Ndiaye.

The CAF Awards 2026 will feature a total of 18 categories, with the Player and Player of the Year awards being the most prestigious. The voting process, which is open to CAF member associations, clubs, coaches, and eligible captains, will run from November 5 to 20. The CAF has also announced that an independent audit will be conducted to ensure the transparency of the results.

Senegal is one of the most represented countries at the CAF Awards 2026, with eight nominees. The country will face stiff competition from Morocco, which has also had a strong showing in the nominations. Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi, who is the current holder of the Player of the Year award, is also a contender. The ceremony will feature musical performances, animations, and celebrations of African cultural heritage.

The CAF Awards 2026 will take place at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, also known as the National Theatre, in Lagos. This is the first time since 2014 that the event will be held in Lagos. The ceremony is expected to bring together the best of African football, with players, coaches, and teams being recognized for their achievements.

In addition to the individual awards, the Senegalese national team has also been nominated for the Team of the Year award. The team has had a successful year, winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Pape Thiaw and Lamine Ndiaye are also contenders for the Coach of the Year award, which recognizes the best coaches in African football.

The CAF Awards 2026 will culminate in a ceremony on December 2, where the winners will be announced. The event promises to be an exciting celebration of African football, with the best players, coaches, and teams being recognized for their achievements. The winners will be determined through a rigorous voting process, which is open to CAF member associations, clubs, coaches, and eligible captains.

Key points

• Sadio Mane, Ismaïla Sarr, and Pape Gueye are among the Senegalese nominees for the CAF Awards 2026.